Why late night? That too when patients are not in a position to be discharged! Yes, in a recent report designed under Freedom of Information laws, a shocking evidence of lacking healthcare at NHS hospitals has been revealed. This report shows that last year in the UK, around 400,000 patients were discharged from NHS hospital wards during late night hours, which means between 11pm and 6am.

The question arises, why? Under what circumstances, these hospitals allowed the staff to move patients to their homes in late night hours and that too without any prior notice or information. In some cases, no arrangements for their health care were being made at their homes prior to their discharge. This is something that caused big trouble to the patients and their relatives at home.

Upon knowing this, Chief Executive of the Patients Association, Katherine Murphy said: "Discharging often elderly and vulnerable patients late at night is totally inconsiderate and unacceptable and displays no compassion or thought for the individual patient".

As stated by the Department of Health, an investigation has been launched in this regard. The Head of the NHS, Sir Bruce Keogh said that it is unbelievable to know that patients have been released in such conditions because they should be sent back home only when it is safe and appropriate for them. This practice is not a safe practice and it is not in the best interest of patients.

Yes, if we talk about patients leaving their maternity wards or those who were admitted to emergency department just for curing their minor A&E injuries; then such discharges could be stated fair. But according to this investigation by the Times, patients have been thrown out of hospitals to free up beds. And this is something really astonishing and shameful for the entire Health Department in the NHS.